Sunday, January 31, 2016

When we use our gifts for the sake of the other, and act out of love, we embody the love that Paul describes in his letter to the Corinthians. With this love, anything is possible.Vicar Anna HelgenThe Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, year C texts: Jeremiah 1:1-4; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Luke 4:21-30

Sisters and brothers in Christ, grace to you and peace, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.“...For you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you.”

How often do we feel like Jeremiah? Inadequate, unprepared, and not ready for what God calls us to do. “But I’m only a boy!” says Jeremiah. If God said these words to me as a child, I’d come up with an excuse, too.
I’m only a kid!
I don’t know what to do!
I haven’t been trained for this!
I don’t have time!
Can’t you ask someone else?

The truth is that God calls all of us--the young and the old, the weak and the strong, the willing and the reluctant--to carry out God’s mission in the world. To go where God sends us and speak what God commands us. If you’re feeling a little unsure, like Jeremiah, find comfort in the fact that God knows us from the very beginning. Even before we are formed in the womb, God makes us holy, and equips us with gifts so that we might share God’s love with all the world. We might still have questions or hesitations, but we can trust that God works with us in our reluctance and uncertainty, helping us to discover who exactly God calls us to be in this time and place.

Through a family acquaintance, I learned the story of the Schuster family--a family that learned together how to answer God’s call and show God’s love to the world. The Schusters live near Bremerhaven in the northwest part of Germany. This mom, dad, and their 16-year-old son decided to volunteer to take in an unaccompanied refugee, a minor. It was an involved process--lots of red tape, background checks, education classes, and--most importantly--an agreement to accept the minor until he or she turns 18. They knew during this process that they’d have no say in the age or gender of this person. No say in anything about the person at all.

Finally, they were approved and soon after, the Schusters and this young refugee had a chance to meet one another and see if it would be a good fit. If either party was hesitant, then the process would not move forward. Thankfully though, that wasn’t an issue. The Schusters connected immediately with Sohrab, a 13-year-old boy originally from Afghanistan. After his father was killed, however, his family had escaped to Iran to flee the Taliban. Sohrab wasn’t allowed to go to school while living in Iran. So his mother put him into a refugee program so he would have the opportunity to continue in his schooling. He’d been living in Germany, awaiting placement, before he met the Schusters.

When the Schusters met Sohrab he could only speak Farsi and a few words in German and English. He didn’t have many of his own belongings, so the Schusters bought him new clothes and a smartphone, so he could feel at home and be able to contact his family in Iran. Together, the Schusters and their guest-son (that’s what they call Sohrab) use Google Translate, a smartphone app, so that they can communicate more effectively. Can you imagine the challenges of living with someone when you don’t know their language?

When Sohrab first arrived, he slept and ate. A lot. With all his traveling and time spent in refugee camps, he didn’t get much rest. Now that he’s arrived in his new home he’s catching up on sleep and eating like any other growing teenage boy. He has started to interact more with the family, too. He goes to a school with other refugees and is taking intensive classes in German, so his language skills are improving making it easier for him to communicate with others. He’s also playing soccer which he loves.

The biggest worry of these unaccompanied minors is that they’ll be sent back to the refugee center. But the Schusters have done their best to make Sohrab feel welcome. Some of their relatives in the United States bought Sohrab his own laptop, so he’d have something to use in school and could more easily keep in touch with his family. Sohrab loved the gift and couldn’t believe it that it belonged to him! His guest-mom also thought it helped him feel secure in his new home since his extended guest-family in the United States thought of him as a new family member and welcomed him with a gift.

The Schuster family likely didn’t know what taking in an unaccompanied refugee would mean for them. They had their doubts and likely wondered if they could handle this. Other friends and family probably had their doubts, too. But even in spite of these concerns, the Schusters practiced love. They used their gifts for the sake of the other.

When we use our gifts for the sake of the other, and act out of love, like the Schusters, we embody the love that Paul describes in his letter to the Corinthians. This isn’t sentimental love, or romantic love, but love made known through our actions. The Corinthians were a squabbling bunch. They argued over what spiritual gifts were best and lost sight of how to use them. Paul tells them, and us, that if love is not at the center of all that we do, then we are nothing. Then our actions are worthless. Unproductive. Futile.

To embody this love in the world, we might have to take a risk, like Jesus. Jesus describes to the crowds in his hometown what this gospel-love looks like in the world. And he upsets them! Because this love propels us out of our hometowns--the places where we are most comfortable--and towards the other, into the unknown. It breaks down the barriers that place us against each other so that we can get to know one another and learn together how to live in community with all.

This kind of radical love is the purest expression of the gospel and is most fully revealed to us on the cross. It’s surprising and acts in ways we might not expect. It allows for disagreement, but does not create division. When this love flourishes and is practiced by a community, the gospel is made known to all. This is how love anchors us as a community of faith. There are no insiders and no outsiders. But all are united and included in the body of Christ.

When you doubt your place in the world or wonder if you have the gifts to share God’s love with others, remember what this gospel-love is like. With this love at the center, anything is possible.

In the words of Eugene Peterson:Love never gives up.Love cares more for others than for self.Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.Love doesn’t strut,Doesn’t have a swelled head,Doesn’t force itself on others,Isn’t always “me first,”Doesn’t fly off the handle,Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,Doesn’t revel when others grovel,Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,Puts up with anything,Trusts God always,Always looks for the best,Never looks back,But keeps going to the end.

Thanks be to God for this love made known to us through Jesus Christ.
And thanks be to God for you as you share this love with all the world.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

On the 17th of January I took on the challenge of discussing panhandling and the Christian response during the adult education hour. It was very interesting, conflicting, and complicated, but a valuable attempt at further understand-ing how God calls us to live and move in the world. Though I cannot repeat this discussion verbatim, I am going to do a two part series on a few of the highlighted pieces.

Part 1

Much research went in to this topic, but the most valuable piece was an interview with Monica Nilsson, the Director of Community Outreach at St. Stephens Human Services – a ministry focused on ending homelessness. Monica has deciphered four main cate-gories for why people begin panhandling. 1) They have untreated trauma/mental illness; 2) they are broke; 3) they have a chemical depend-ency; 4) they are lonely. For the many reasons why people start panhandling, every cardboard sign reads the same message of “I need help.” The most critical help is relationships and a sup-port network to help them start meeting their more complex needs besides just the few dollars a day for xyz. That's where information is helpful and acknowledgement that what they're going through, whatever it may be, is difficult.

Monica and the St. Stephens’s staff do not recommend directly giving panhandlers tangible items (money, socks, tooth-brushes), she does however say that everyone deserves to be acknowledged and respected. When she encounters someone on the street, she does not give money, but she will ask their name and say, "I wish you well," and may ask if there's any information or resources that they need.

Resources available at Mount Olive:

- The St. Stephens Street Outreach booklet gives all the shelter and other immediate need info. These are posted on the kiosk or I can get you any if you want copies to keep in your car (see page 5);
- The Handbook of the Streets is a complete listing of most/all resources available in South Minneapolis;
- A short list of nearby food shelves, free meals, shelters, etc. is posted on the kiosk and the bulletin board downstairs. Take pages, make copies, and give them away to those that need them;
- Anna Scott, Coordinator of Neighborhood Outreach and Ministry;
- You. Your compassion. Your willingness. Your care and concern and action.

The Presentation of Our LordTuesday, February 2Holy Eucharist at 7:00 pm

Thursday Evening Study on the Book of Daniel

“Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land” is the title of the current Thursday Bible Study, exploring the book of Daniel. Written in a time of national tribulation and set in another such time, the book explores how God’s faithful live faithful lives in a threatening world. As always, the study begins with a light supper at 6, followed by the study. All are welcome!

Book Discussion Group

Mount Olive’s Book Discussion Group meets on the second Saturday of each month, at 10:00 a.m. in the West Assembly Area at church. All readers are welcome! For the February 13 meeting, they will read God's Hotel, by Victoria Sweet. For March 12 they will read In the Garden of Beasts, by Erik Larson.

Attention Worship Assistants

The Servant Schedule for the 2nd quarter of 2016 (April - June) will be published at the beginning of March 2016. The deadline for submitting requests to me is February 10, 2016. Please email your requests to peggyrf70@gmail.com.
Thanks!

- Peggy Hoeft

Coffee Hosts Needed!

There are currently very few hosts signed up for the coffee hour served between liturgies. If you’d like to help in some way, but don’t want to serve, consider making an extra batch of bars, cookies, or cake the next time you bake. You can bring the extra to church to be frozen for those days when no one signs up. Carla is glad to serve the treats, but would welcome help with the baking. Thank you for considering this important ministry of fellowship.

Music & Fine Arts News
Sunday, January 31, 4:00 p.m.
“A Winter Tapestry”
From Age to Age Choral Ensemble

Mount Olive Music & Fine Arts is pleased to welcome From Age to Age choral ensemble for the first time on their concert series. From Age to Age brings a program that will warm your heart as you listen to an eclectic mixture of repertoire representing all musical eras, and the standard of excellence that resounds the mission of our ensemble.

A reception follows the concert in the church’s Chapel Lounge.

Lent is Coming: Mark Your Calendars!

The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper will be held on Tuesday, February 9, beginning at 6:00 pm.
Plan to come for a night of fun and fellowship for the whole congregation!
If you are willing to help with this event, please contact Amy Thompson via email to:
Amy.B.Thompson@wellsfargo.com- Sponsored by the Mount Olive Youth

Stewardshift!

Sitze will lead February 6 “Stewardshift!” workshop

Bob Sitze, author of Stewardshift: An Economia for Congregational Change (Morehouse, January 2016), will lead a “Stewardshift!” workshop Saturday, February 6, for Mount Olive leaders and others who want to deepen and broaden their understanding of stewardship for congregational mission and daily life. The workshop, in the Chapel/Lounge, will start at 10:30 a.m. and end at 2 p.m., with participants joining Mount Olive’s Community Meal at noon.

Sitze (pronounced sights) says participants in the interactive workshop will wrestle with questions about the present and future of stewardship. They’ll examine the meaning of stewardship as the church and the secular world have understood it. Using ideas detailed in his new book, Bob will challenge common stewardship beliefs and practices, arguing that some may have run their course in the life of the church. He proposes a “shifted stewardship”—simultaneously more biblically centered and more secular—to more effectively shape and serve personal identity and congregational purpose. Bob’s workshops incorporate discovery-based methods, intellectual and emotional honesty, and what he calls “Lutheran levity.” Advised that Mount Olive people are not shy about asking questions and sharing opinions, Bob responded that he welcomes that prospect.

Bob Sitze is a former teacher and director of Christian education in the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. He worked for many years—until his recent retirement—in the ELCA’s national offices as a resource developer and workshop leader in the areas of stewardship, Christian education, hunger, and ministry in everyday life. Four of his previous books, all focused on congregational dynamics, were published by the Alban Institute. Bob and his wife, Chris, live in Wheaton, Illinois.

To help estimate the need for seating, tables, and handouts, please let us know you’re coming by leaving a note marked “stewardship” in the church office or a message for Donn at agathach@bitstream.net or 952-452-2049.

—Donn McLellan, Director of Stewardship

Hungry Children?

Last week, you read about Jefferson elementary school, just a few miles from Mount Olive:92% of children at Jefferson receive free or reduced cost breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. But, on weekends,these children often have little to eat:

•17% are homeless or “highly mobile;”
•children are often alone at home on weekends, because parents are at work. Imagine the feeling of arriving for school on Monday hungry. How hard it is for these children to begin
the week prepared to learn in the presence of gnawing hunger, because there was little to eat over the weekend.

The SHERIDAN STORY exists to fill that “food gap” between Friday and Monday. Studies have shown that children who receive adequate food on weekends experience increased self-esteem, improved behavior at school, better academic performance, significant improvement in standard-
ized test scores, increased interest in school, and better relationships with school personnel.
We’re going to learn how we can personally be part of THE SHERIDAN STORY. Keep watch on this space in coming weeks for more information.

St. Stephen’s Outreach

St. Stephens is a resource if you are concerned about someone on the street and would like an outreach team to make contact with them. The smaller booklet is for immediate needs and helpful in explaining how to enter a shelter. The Handbook of the Streets is a comprehensive collection of most types of aid in the Minneapolis area. Calling 2-1-1 will connect you with United Way and give you access to personal advice and contacts and is the fastest source of up-to-date information.

It’s a Clothing and Seed Swap!

Mount Olive will host the Do It Green Clothing Swap this Saturday, January 30, from 2-4 p.m.

Do It Green Minnesota is a non-profit organization committed to educating Minnesotans about making sustainable and green choices to better their lives and their community.

These clothing swaps provide a place for people to exchange clothes free of charge, which prevents waste, encourages reuse, and provides access to clothes to those who might not be able to afford them.

The event is free and open to the public. Bring clothes and seeds to share with others!

Winter Gear Drive Continues

Neighborhood Ministries is receiving donations of winter gear for children and adults.

New or gently used items (hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, and coats) can be donated in the box near the coat room. There is designated space for coats in the coat rack area. Items will be given away at the Community Meal throughout the winter or brought to the Central Lutheran Free Store.

Thank you!

Psalms & Spirituals with the National Lutheran Choir

Saturday, February 27, 2016 – 7:30pm
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Apple Valley

Sunday, February 28, 2016 – 4pm
St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church in Plymouth

Reminders -- We would like to remind all patrons of our church library to search their homes for books or other media that belong to the main church library (or the Courtyard library) and somehow haven't been returned on time. Please do it soon and return those items, thus giving you peace of mind (no fines, no questions) and we will be happier too, and able to function more efficiently!

The second reminder involves bags of books that seem to appear at our library door or on our check-out desk; no doubt left as a kind donation, but with no identification as to just who left them for us! First, we would like to know who you are when you leave bags of books for us. Second, if these items are old or in poor shape, please don't assume we are going to want them either. We have to be selective, not only because of limited room, possible duplication, or even usefulness of topic etc. If we decide not to use them, we would like to have your name so that we can offer them back to you or offer further suggestions.

An appropriate quote for the beginning of a new year: "A truly great book teaches me better than to just read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on it's hint; what I began by reading, I must finish by acting." - Thoreau

Resolve to come in and use the library resources often -- we are looking for you and want to welcome you warmly!

Sunday, January 24, 2016

We are anointed, we are Christ; let’s stop avoiding the obvious and trust that the Spirit is filling us to bring Good News in all we say and do to those on the margins, those for whom God is most concerned.Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Third Sunday after Epiphany, year C texts: Luke 4:14-21; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Sisters and brothers in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

That’s a great way to begin a sermon. Unfortunately, Luke only gives us the start, what Jesus “began to say.” In the next verse, which we’ll hear next week, we’re already on the crowd’s response.

Jesus makes a powerful claim, but Luke already made it. Today he introduces Jesus after his temptation as “filled with the power of the Spirit.” So we readers already know the Spirit is upon him. We expect he will do all these wonderful things.

Still, it’s a great sermon we never get to hear. Except we do. If we read Luke carefully, Jesus’ chosen text is woven into everything he did and taught. This really was fulfilled in their hearing, in this person who brought God to us. And if we read the sequel, Acts, we’ll find much interesting about us.

But let’s start with the Scripture he read. We’ve neglected these words too long.

Somehow this monumental declaration of the point of his ministry didn’t catch on with the Church as much as his words at the ascension.

The Church called those words in Matthew 28 “the Great Commission” and ran with them for centuries. “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded.” These have shaped Christian mission and theology since the beginning.

But what Jesus says today has been largely ignored by the Church’s power structures for most of the Church’s life. Yet this declaration is much more embedded in Christ’s teaching and theology than Matthew 28. It’s central to his understanding of his role as God’s anointed, and to his view of his followers’ role.

At the dawn of his ministry, Jesus says: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Jesus claims these words from Isaiah 61 are fulfilled in him and he does live them. He is good news to the poor, he gave the blind their sight, he freed many from oppressive lives, he declared the Good News of God’s favor and love for the world.

So far so good. Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah, and is filled with the Spirit. We believe this. But we’ve not been eager to follow Jesus’ path ourselves.

Making disciples is fine. But how did we decide these words didn’t apply to us?

Here’s what we miss: Luke believes as it goes with Jesus, so it does with us.

Read Luke and Acts side by side. In Luke, this is the first great scene we have in Jesus’ ministry, and he begins his ministry filled with the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim the Good News. In Acts, the first great event is when the Church begins its ministry by being filled with the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim the Good News.

For Luke, the Church is the Christ. The Spirit is upon us, and we are anointed to do these things. We’re very comfortable seeing Jesus in this role. But we have not done very well to live as Church into the same role.

We don’t get any help in our avoidance from Paul, either.

Paul agrees with Luke: in the one Spirit we were baptized into one body, he says.

And we are all given gifts for the sake of the whole body, for the sake of the world. It’s a powerful description of the varied gifts each of us has, and how important they all are to the calling we have to serve each other and the world.

But again, we seem to miss the big picture: we are all baptized in the one Spirit, Paul says, into one body. The body of Christ. We are, once again, Christ. The anointed. The ones who are now called to bear Christ’s ministry into the world.

We all have different roles in that ministry, that body. But we can’t avoid that in our baptism we are not what we were, we are now all anointed, together, to be Christ in the world.

Why is it easy to imagine Jesus full of the Spirit and doing these things, but not us?

Why do we seem to regard Pentecost as a past event, unrelated to us?

Is it fear? Are we afraid of reaching out in the world to change real problems, to work on God’s greatest concerns? God cares about the poor, the oppressed, the captives, the sick, and calls us to do something for them, to declare in our bodies, voices, hands, that God has come to set them free. Are we afraid that we might fail?

Or is reluctance? Maybe we just don’t want to do these things. We’re happy to give them to Jesus, to pray for the healing of the world. But believing that we have been anointed, together, made Christ, together, that we might bring good news to the poor and oppressed, the captives and the blind, is that just something we don’t want to do?

We don’t have much wiggle room to avoid this if we call ourselves Christian, though.

The words of Isaiah Jesus repeats are clear: the Spirit is given us for a specific purpose. To do these things. Jesus said, “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Spirit has anointed me to do these things.”

The Spirit’s gifts are given for a purpose. That we follow Jesus’ great mission here in Luke 4 and change the world. There’s no point in talking about gifts of the Spirit without also talking about and remembering they are given so they can be used to heal the world God loves so much.

This is who we are, Spirit-filled, this is our job. To bring good news to the poor. To proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. To let the oppressed go free. To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Because we are anointed, we are Christ.

“Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in our hearing.”

What would it take for each of us to say that today? What do we need to know to say it? What do we need to remove that is blocking us?

We should ask such questions, but let’s not waste too much time on them. Better to simply say what Jesus said and see what God does. To say out loud to each other: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon us, upon me, for the purpose of bringing Good News to the poor, and oppressed, and blind, and captive.” And then to say, out loud: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in our hearing.”

Then we’ll see what the Spirit is up to. Because she’s already been giving birth to this in us. Pentecost is an ongoing reality in our lives. Claiming it, declaring it, opens our eyes to see it is true. That it is fulfilled in us, today. The more we look, the more we’ll see this fulfillment.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

When does this preparation for the liturgy happen for you? Some might say when we set
the alarm clock on Saturday night. Others might say when we dress. What we wear can say something about how we regard the activity we’re dressing for. Some can say even that what we wear has an effect on our behavior. Tuxedos just make me stand with better posture! Jeans and old pull-overs, well…posture is definitely different than when in a tux.

What are we preparing for? Folks may answer that question differently, but let’s start with
this assumption: we are preparing for an encounter with God, alive in this place, and in each other. Since there is no place that God is not, it is WE who take on this conscious focus when we come. In that en-counter we get to express how important God is to us, we will hear the Word of God which will challenge us for the part of the service that takes us out of this place back into the world, and we will partake in the sub-stance (bread and wine) that literally keep us a part of the Body of Christ. Through all these things we are strengthened as we are sent.

The Gathering rite is indeed an important part of our conscious and thoughtful participation in liturgy. It begins with all of the things mentioned so far – from plans to be here, a rehearsal on Wednesday, baking bread, ironing linens, setting the alarm clock, dressing, getting here, lighting candles, all the way through to the prayer of the day. Sometimes we corporately approach God through confessing our brokenness, or remembering whose we are in remembering our Baptism. We greet God with praise. We sing as one voice – a hymn or psalm, perhaps the Kyrie (sung prayer), and perhaps sing a Hymn of Praise. This “gathering” is actually quite vast and varies Sunday to Sunday, liturgical season to season.

For many, once arriving here, before the liturgy formally begins, thoughts turn to prayer. We set aside the nave for liturgies – prayer, praise, proclamation, celebration of the Holy Eucharist. We may greet some people in the narthex or in the lounge, but once entering the nave,
you may notice how many people prepare silently for what is about to take place. Some kneel in prayer. Some look through the service folder to see what has been planned for us to do, some look up the hymns and readings for a precursory look, perhaps marking them with the ribbons. Generally, it is quiet focus on God and mentally getting ready for what is to come, whether there is prelude music or not. It is important to respect that silence for those who value this preparation.

Not all congregations regard their space in this way. For some, it’s about the people. In that way of looking at things, it’s more like a reunion room. People great each other when they first arrive, happy to be reunited. For many here it’s a little different. Our time for “reunion” and greeting, also important, comes following the liturgy in the Chapel Lounge over coffee and treats! We are strengthened by our encounter with God, and now turn to each other for our mutual love and support before we return to “the world” so to speak.
What are you doing Sunday?

The Presentation of Our LordTuesday, February 2Holy Eucharist at 7:00 pm

Thursday Evening Study on the Book of Daniel

“Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land” is the title of the current Thursday Bible Study, exploring the book of Daniel. Written in a time of national tribulation and set in another such time, the book explores how God’s faithful live faithful lives in a threatening world. As always, the study begins with a light supper at 6, followed by the study. All are welcome!

Book Discussion Group

Mount Olive’s Book Discussion Group meets on the second Saturday of each month, at 10:00 a.m. in the West Assembly Area at church. All readers are welcome! For the February 13 meeting, they will read God's Hotel, by Victoria Sweet. For March 12 they will read In the Garden of Beasts, by Erik Larson.

Sunday’s Adult Forum: January 24
“Luther and the Jews, presented by Darrell Jodock, Drell and Adeline Bernhardson Distinguished Professor of Religion Emeritus, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minnesota, and founder of the Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding at Muhlenberg College.

Coffee Hosts Needed!

There are currently no hosts signed up for the coffee hour served between liturgies. If you’d like to help in some way, but don’t want to serve, consider making an extra batch of bars, cookies, or cake the next time you bake. You can bring the extra to church to be frozen for those days when no one signs up. Carla is glad to serve the treats, but would welcome help with the baking. Thank you for considering this important ministry of fellowship.

Music & Fine Arts News

Sunday, January 31, 4:00 p.m.
“A Winter Tapestry”
From Age to Age Choral Ensemble

Mount Olive Music & Fine Arts is pleased to welcome From Age to Age choral ensemble for the first time on their concert series. From Age to Age brings a program that will warm your heart as you listen to an eclectic mixture of repertoire representing all musical eras, and the standard of excellence that resounds the mission of our ensemble.

A reception follows the concert in the church’s Chapel Lounge.

Lent is Coming: Mark Your Calendars!

The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper will be held on Tuesday, February 9, beginning at 6:00 pm.
Plan to come for a night of fun and fellowship for the whole congregation!

If you are willing to help with this event, please contact Amy Thompson via email to:
Amy.B.Thompson@wellsfargo.com

- Sponsored by the Mount Olive Youth

Sitze will lead February 6 “Stewardshift!” workshop

Bob Sitze, author of Stewardshift: An Economia for Congregational Change (Morehouse, January 2016), will lead a “Stewardshift!” workshop Saturday, February 6, for Mount Olive leaders and others who want to deepen and broaden their understanding of stewardship for congregational mission and daily life. The workshop, in the Chapel/Lounge, will start at 10:30 a.m. and end at 2 p.m., with participants joining Mount Olive’s Community Meal at noon.

Sitze (pronounced sights) says participants in the interactive workshop will wrestle with questions about the present and future of stewardship. They’ll examine the meaning of stewardship as the church and the secular world have understood it. Using ideas detailed in his new book, Bob will challenge common stewardship beliefs and practices, arguing that some may have run their course in the life of the church. He proposes a “shifted stewardship”—simultaneously more biblically centered and more secular—to more effectively shape and serve personal identity and congregational purpose. Bob’s workshops incorporate discovery-based methods, intellectual and emotional honesty, and what he calls “Lutheran levity.” Advised that Mount Olive people are not shy about asking questions and sharing opinions, Bob responded that he welcomes that prospect.

Bob Sitze is a former teacher and director of Christian education in the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. He worked for many years—until his recent retirement—in the ELCA’s national offices as a resource developer and workshop leader in the areas of stewardship, Christian education, hunger, and ministry in everyday life. Four of his previous books, all focused on congregational dynamics, were published by the Alban Institute. Bob and his wife, Chris, live in Wheaton, Illinois.

To help estimate the need for seating, tables, and handouts, please let us know you’re coming by leaving a note marked “stewardship” in the church office or a message for Donn at agathach@bitstream.net or 952-452-2049.

—Donn McLellan, director of stewardship

Creation Awakes

Please join the new Holden Village Co-Executive Directors Peg Carlson-Hoffman + Chuck Hoffman as they share images and information about the impact of the Wolverine Creek Fire on Holden Village. These free events are opportunities for the Holden community to come together in familiar rhythms of teaching sessions, coffee break, and worship. The Directors will provide insights on plans for 2016 and beyond. Full Narnia (childcare) programming is available, so the whole family is welcome.

This event will be held on January 23, 2016, 2:00–5:00 pm, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4100 Lyndale Ave. S., in Minneapolis. Mount Olive member Senator John Marty is part of the teaching staff for this forum. His presentation is entitled, "Moving to a Fossil-Fuel Free Future; Addressing Climate Change Because There is No Planet B." To register, please visit https://holdenvillage.thankyou4caring.org/creation-awakes

News from the Neighborhood Anna Scott

Listen for A Change

Trinity Institute National Theological Conference presents: “Listen for a Change - Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice,” January 21-23, 2016. Hosted by Central Lutheran Church, this event is free, but registration is requested. For more information or to register go to: www.centralmpls.org & click on Events & News or talk to Anna Scott.

TI2016 is for anyone who is interested in a theological perspective on racial justice and a fuller understanding of present realities and ways to transform them. It’s not just for clergy – anyone interested is invited to attend. TI is also perfect for seminarians, students, activists, and young church leaders looking for new insights from thought leaders and change agents and all who are dedicated to or interested in striving for racial justice.

Oh My Lord, What Can I Do?

It breaks one's heart to know: over 100,000 children in the Twin Cities live in "food insecurity," a polite term for a child not knowing when they will get their next meal. On weekends, without the meal programs at school, hunger is their frequent reality, and for their family as well.

In this nation of abundance how can this happen? At an elementary school near Mount Olive:
- 92% of children receive free/reduced cost lunch because their families cannot afford to pay;
- 17% of children are homeless or "highly mobile;"
- 50% of children know little or no English.

It breaks one's heart to think of hungry kids. What can I do? What can we do? Here is one answer. Watch The Olive Branch in coming weeks for more information on The Sheridan Story.

It’s a Clothing Swap!

Mount Olive will host the Do It Green Clothing Swap on Saturday, January 30, from 2-4 p.m.

Do It Green Minnesota is a non-profit organization committed to educating Minnesotans about making sustainable and green choices to better their lives and their community.

These clothing swaps provide a place for people to exchange clothes free of charge, which prevents waste, encourages reuse, and provides access to clothes to those who might not be able to afford them.

The event is free and open to the public.

Winter Gear Drive Continues

Neighborhood Ministries is receiving donations of winter gear for children and adults.

New or gently used items (hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, and coats) can be donated in the box near the coat room. There is designated space for coats in the coat rack area. Items will be given away at the Community Meal throughout the winter or brought to the Central Lutheran Free Store.

Thank you!

Hymn Festival: “One Body, Many Members”
David & Susan Cherwien will lead a hymn festival this Sunday, January 24, 4:00 pm at The Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Roseville (3115 Victoria St. N., Roseville).

All are invited!

Who exactly is the Synod? Well, We Are

Sometimes when Lutherans speak of “the synod,” what they really mean is the synod staff. In fact, the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA is all the 155 congregations, other institutions, and all the nearly 190,000 members. We are the synod. We have a staff, too. Bishop Ann M. Svennungsen and twelve others work out of the synod’s office in the Minnesota Church Center at 122 West Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis and provide both service and leadership to congregations. But they, like the staff of Mount Olive, are there to serve the greater group.

As part of that greater work together with our sisters and brothers, Anna Scott, our Coordinator of Neighborhood Outreach and Ministry, was just named Vice Chair of the synod’s Public Voice Committee. This is the synod committee that works on how the many congregations of this synod speak in the public square and work in our neighborhoods for the good of the people of this city and world. But Anna is not alone in serving from Mount Olive. Two Mount Olive members serve on the Synod Council, the governing body of our synod between assemblies: Pr. Crippen, and Ty Inglis, who serves as synod treasurer, elected in 2015. Adam Krueger is co-chair of the synod’s Candidacy Committee, responsible for working with seminarians from Minneapolis as they navigate through the approval process. Through these, this is one way Mount Olive lives out our part as one of many that make up the “synod.”

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Inviting Christ to our lives, along with his friends, is the only way to begin to see the glory of God’s healing life for us and for the whole world.Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Second Sunday after Epiphany, year C text: John 2:1-11

Sisters and brothers in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Apparently it matters whom we invite to our parties.

At least if we want enough food and drink to satisfy our guests for a three day village wedding. Having one who can make fine wine out of water is handy.

This must be a family friend or relative of Jesus getting married, since Jesus’ mother is also on the guest list. Jesus’ disciples were also invited. We’ve only met five so far in John, but you’d have to like Jesus a lot to answer yes to: “is it OK if I bring along five guys who are following me around?”

This may be a grace point in this story, though, a place we can enter and see our lives and God differently.

Maybe it really does matter whom we invite into our story, whom they bring with them, what we expect of them, and what they ask of us.

First, we want to put Jesus on our life’s guest list.

This miracle wasn’t really world-changing. No disease was cured, no demon sent away. Jesus just made sure the hosts of the party weren’t embarrassed. Maybe their guests were heavy drinkers; maybe the family was poor. But it would be humiliating.

But God’s Christ was there, a guest. And even the little details of our lives matter to him. He blessed them with the abundance of God, changed what was ordinary into extraordinary. That’s what happens when Jesus is at the party.

We’re in the afterglow of our celebration of the birth of Christ, and this story reminds us what it means that God has become one of us. In Christ, God lives in our lives, cares about our needs, even ones that seem unimportant to others. Christ Jesus is someone we want actively involved in our lives, with us.

As annoying as they can be, we also want to be sure to invite Jesus’ friends.

Wherever Jesus goes, he brings his friends along. Even to a wedding. They’re not the brightest, they often miss his point, act in ways Christ would prefer they didn’t. They need correction, guidance, help.

But Christ’s friends are vital for us. At Cana, they’re the witnesses of God’s glory in Jesus. So they are for us. Jesus’ friends are the ones who sit next to us in the pew, who talk to us at the coffee time, who know when we need them. They’re the ones who help us see what God is doing in our lives and in the world. Christ’s friends are the ones who stand with us in our faith and doubt, who witness so we might also believe.

Many of those who bear the name Christ can be annoying or problematic. Sometimes we’d rather focus on our faith by ourselves. But we need the friends of this Christ in our lives. We couldn’t see or believe without them.

There’s another on the Cana guest list who needs to be on ours, too.

“The mother of Jesus was there,” John says. And she’s crucial. She’s the one who notices the problem of the wine. She’s the one who comes to the only one who could do something, her son. She’s the one who ignores his resistance and tells the servants they should do whatever he says. Without her at this wedding, would Jesus have acted?

We need people like her in our life. We need to invite people into our life who know the truth about us, who can see what needs we have. But who also know God well enough to bring God our needs and ask for help. Even wrestle a little, argue for our cause, not take no for an answer.

These are the people of faith who are so important to us, who trust God when we struggle to, who pray in confidence when we doubt, and who will speak on our behalf to God, even if we could have spoken ourselves. (Remember, the bridegroom could have come to Jesus. That’s not the question. Sometimes we need someone to speak up for us.)

We want people like Jesus’ mother in our life.

But isn’t this miracle kind of insignificant?

In the huge problems of the world, Jesus’ action was small potatoes. Much of what we hope for from God feels the same to us. We struggle to know what we can bring to God for healing, for hope, for change. We don’t want to be selfish, we know there are bigger, worse problems that lots of other people have. We might only be running out of wine, not dying of hunger or unjustly locked up in a jail. Who are we to ask the Incarnate Son of God to come to our lives and help us?

But Jesus did this small little thing. He learned of a need and met it. He didn’t say, “What about those people over there that have nothing? Your problems aren’t important.” He made the wine.

Oh, but also: “this was the first of his signs, and revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him,” John says. This was only the beginning. After Cana, Jesus would do much more – heal the sick, raise the dead, die on the cross, rise to new life – but this little miracle in an out-of-the-way village was the first sign of what was to come.

That’s the hope. Christ in our lives means we will see signs of God’s glory in our own small needs, our own small lives. And they will be signs that God is even now working in the world for healing. Signs of the much greater things God is going to do. And like the disciples, we believe.

There’s one more thing: whatever he tells you, do it, his mother said.

We need to hear what she said to the servants. Filling a jar with 30 gallons of water by carrying buckets from a well surely didn’t look miraculous. Nor did repeating it five more times. But out of their obedience came rich, abundant grace.

Pay attention to this. When Christ is in our lives, he’ll have things he needs us to do. Inviting him to our life isn’t a passive thing. So when Jesus tells us to do something, however small or unimportant, we would do well to do it. Love your neighbor as yourself, he said. Maybe that’s not going to change our society or world, or stop war, or end hunger. Maybe it’s going to be annoying and inconvenient, as tedious as endlessly carrying buckets to stone jars. But if Christ has asked us to do this, to love as we are loved, there is bound to be a grace, a miracle, a transformation in his plans. Our part is needed, even if we don’t see how.

Whatever he tells you, do it. That Mary sure knew her son.

It’s time to make the guest list of those whom we’re inviting to our lives.

We’ll invite Jesus, the Son of God, the Anointed. We’ll invite his friends, too, all of them, and especially one or two who know him well and will speak for us when we can’t.

And we’ll be ready for our jobs when we get them.

Because you never know what God can do with just a little thing like water. Or like us.In the name of Jesus. Amen

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

In these upcoming three green Sundays after Epiphany we have a brief run through First Corinthians as our second reading. Beginning with this Sunday, we hear from chapters 12 and 13 before Transfigura-tion on February 7.

These are remarkable words from a remarkable letter. Paul begins a discussion of spiritual gifts in chapter 12, with this explanation: “Concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.” In spite of that, I’m not sure we are becoming informed as he hopes. Too often we read these sections, as in the next Sundays, separately, out of context from the others.

When we read them together (and I encourage you to do this before Sunday) we see a thread of truth we don’t talk about as we could: the Spirit’s gifts are for the good of all. So this Sunday Paul says, “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” Next Sunday, he claims we all belong to each other and care for each other, an inseparable body in Christ that we did not make. Then on Jan. 31, his hymn to Christly love is a powerful description of how we live together in that body.

We each are given gifts of the Spirit for the common good. We all belong to each other in one, inseparable body, where all are different and important. Sacrificial, Christly love, the highest of all spiritual gifts, and one given to all, shapes the life in this body. This is what Paul needs us and all believers to be informed about.

Most days we live into this life relatively well as the people of God at Mount Olive. But in the broader Church, among such different and diverse ways of speaking Christ’s name in the world, such a sense of the common good, our oneness in Christ, and the love that binds us, seems rarer and rarer.

Sometimes I think we’d do well as the Church to keep our mouths closed and read more of the Scriptures. It’s sad that 2,000 years after this first was sent to believers, our broader witness as Christ’s Church in this world shows us to still be uninformed, and unwilling to learn.
Perhaps our gift here at Mount Olive can be to show by our actions and life in the world this word of Paul, so that at least those who encounter us as examples of Christians might see that we are, in fact, informed as to the center of the heart of Christ, and so informed, are living in that heart. For the good of all the world’s people.

The Presentation of Our LordTuesday, February 2Holy Eucharist at 7:00 pmAll are welcome!

Thursday Evening Study on the Book of Daniel

“Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land” is the title of the current Thursday Bible Study, exploring the book of Daniel. Written in a time of national tribulation and set in another such time, the book explores how God’s faithful live faithful lives in a threatening world. As always, the study begins with a light supper at 6, followed by the study. All are welcome!

Book Discussion Group

Mount Olive’s Book Discussion Group meets on the second Saturday of each month, at 10:00 a.m. in the West Assembly Area at church. All readers are welcome! For the February 13 meeting, they will read God's Hotel, by Victoria Sweet. For March 12 they will read In the Garden of Beasts, by Erik Larson.

Desk Needed!

The German family that Mount Olive has helped to bring to Minneapolis for a short-term work/study period would like a small desk to use. If you have a desk that you could lend them until the end of July, please contact Lora Dundek with the dimensions (lhdundek@usfamily.net). We have a desk chair already. Thanks.

Transitions Support Group

All are welcome at the Transitions Support Group. If you’re looking for new ideas or encouragement to meet the challenges or uncertainties that are before you, please consider joining us on January 13, 2016.

This is an opportunity to share in fellowship, prayer, and discussion with others in the Mount Olive community.

Transitions Support Group meets on Wednesday, January 13 from 6- 7 pm at Mount Olive in the lower level Youth Room, and will be facilitated by Cathy Bosworth and Amy Cotter.

Join us for fellowship and music. Featuring the voice of Libby Turner, Ann Jensen, and Leon Patterson, reflecting on their journey to Selma for the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March. TRUST Youth will provide music and lead the service.

A soup and sandwich supper will follow the service, and a freewill offering will be received.

Mark Your Calendars

Sunday, January 31, 4:00 p.m.
“A Winter Tapestry” From Age to Age Choral Ensemble

Mount Olive Music & Fine Arts is pleased to welcome From Age to Age choral ensemble for the first time on their concert series. From Age to Age brings a program that will warm your heart as you listen to an eclectic mixture of repertoire representing all musical eras, and the standard of excellence that resounds the mission of our ensemble.

A reception follows the concert in the church’s Chapel Lounge.

Help Wanted for Our Saviour’s Meals

It's sign-up time for serving at Our Saviour's Shelter!

Mount Olive serves on the second Sunday of every month. If you have served before you know how rewarding it is to meet the residents and to have dinner with them. There is a 2016 calendar where you can put your name down for the month that is best for you.

More hands are always welcome!

Altar Flowers

The sign up chart for weekly altar flowers has been posted in its usual spot next to the church office. If you would like to sign up to provide flowers for worship to commemorate a special day, in memory of a loved one, in honor of a special event, or simply to help beautify our church for worship, please sign up on the chart for the date you want, and be sure to include your designation. The cost of the altar flowers this year is $50 per Sunday for two bouquets. If you wish to provide only one of the bouquets, simply sign on only one of the two lines provided for each Sunday. The cost for one bouquet is $25.

Please use one of the envelopes provided at the chart for your payment.

Reconciling in Christ Annual Service

The 2016 RIC Festival Service, "Diversity Thru Inclusivity," will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2016, 4:30 PM, at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church (4150 Dupont Ave. N, Minneapolis, MN 55412). Pastor Robin Provis will serve as presider for this service, and Pastor Kelly Chatman will preach.

A soup supper will follow the service, and a freewill offering will be received. This event is sponsored by the Twin Cities Chapter of ReconcilingWorks.

Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton and William B. Horne, an ELCA member from Clearwater, Fla., will continue their conversation on racism – a violation of God’s intention for humanity – in another live webcast Jan. 14, 2016, at 8 p.m. (CST). Eaton and Horne will be joined by other ELCA members who bring various perspectives on the U.S. criminal justice system. As with the previous webcast, this one will be grounded by two commitments. One is this church’s proclamation of Christ and the confidence this good news brings to set us free from the captivity of racism. The second is this church’s enduring commitment to address the complexity of racism and end discrimination.

Mount Olive will host this webinar broadcast in the Chapel Lounge starting at 8:00 pm on Thursday, Jan. 14, immediately following Thursday Bible Study. We will gather in the West Assembly Area beginning at 7:30 pm. We will watch together and have a discussion with other churches and neighbors.

Tending the Family of God

Sometimes when people are no longer present with us at worship on Sunday morning it is because they have moved or have moved on. For example, our vicar completes her year with us, or someone moves to another part of the country or another part of the world. Often, when that happens, we send them on their way from our liturgy with a rite of farewell and Godspeed.

Are there ways we can do that whenever anyone leaves, regardless of the circumstance, so that they know they have been important in our life together and that we will always carry them in our hearts?

CLUES is one of the organizations that Mount Olive supports for its local mission work and support of our neighborhood. This organization sits right across Lake Street, with another two offices in St. Paul. They diligently serve the Latino population in a variety of ways. Their programs focus on: health and wellbeing, economic vitality, education, and cultural and civic engagement. As their website says, living out their mission involves family, community strength, respect, collaboration, and accountability.

Thank you for helping support this vital and vibrant partner in the neighborhood!

CLUES

Who we are: CLUES (Spanish for: Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio) is a linguistically and culturally relevant resource and service nonprofit organization that was founded in 1981 by Latinos for Latinos. Our programs and services connect families to resources, skills, institutions, and systems and create an environment for people to be engaged and empowered.

Who we serve: Our services focus on the Latino family, yet our experience and capabilities enable us to serve individuals and families from all walks of life including new immigrants and low-income families who dream of a better future.

Our mission: To advance the capacity of Latino families to be healthy, prosperous and engaged in their communities.

Our vision: A thriving multicultural community enriched with confident and strong Latino families who contribute their voice, skills, entrepreneurial spirit, and cultural richness.

Listen for Change

The Trinity Institute National Theological Conference presents “Listen for a Change - Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice” on January 21-23, 2016.

Hosted at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, this event is free, but registration is requested. For more information or to register go to: www.centralmpls.org and click on Events & News.

Headed to Kenya!

Coming up on January 25 - Feb 6, Josh and I and a crew of 4 other friends will be headed to Kenya to hike Mount Kenya and hopefully do a safari in Tanzania.

It's a dream come true for me, as I've longed to climb Kilimanjaro for many years, but this trek will suffice! Josh used to fly planes for Airserv, an NGO fleet that worked with the likes of Doctors Without Borders and ARC. He lived in Congo, Uganda, and Chad, but spent time in Kenya and many other countries on the fascinating continent. I'm looking forward to learning, enjoying, seeing incredible things, and having a lot of fun! See you when we get back (and please pray for safety for us. Last time I did something like this I ended up with a broken elbow).

Friday, January 8, 2016

“When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they hadseen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star hadstopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.”

I love to think about the Magi going on their quest to find the baby Jesus, following a star in the sky. This star showed them the way. And once it stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. I wonder what made them so joyful. Did they know their journey was almost complete? Were they excited to meet the infant Jesus and present him with gifts? Or could it be that they had some sense of what this birth meant? That suddenly everything had changed?

We, too, need light to s how us the way. Sometimes it’s real light, like a flashlight that illumines the way to the outhouse, or a candle that lights up the house after the power has gone out. But wealso need light from people in our lives who help us understand, who teach us new ways of thinking, and who enable us to make sense of our experience.

During my college physics classes, I would often have “lightbulb moments.” They were those times when suddenly everything made sense, when my math worked out, when a professor said something to me actually made sense. Be on the lookout for these “lightbulb moments” in your life, too. They don’t happen all the time, but when they do, they’re worth celebrating.

May the light of Christ fill you with joy during this season of Epiphany! - Vicar Anna Helgen

Transitions Support Group All are welcome at the Transitions Support Group. If you’re looking for new ideas or encouragement to meet the challenges or uncertainties that are before you, please consider joining us on January 13, 2016.

This is an opportunity to share in fellowship, prayer, and discussion with others in the Mount Olivecommunity.

Transitions Support Group meets on Wednesday, January 13 from 6- 7 pm at Mount Olive in the lower level Youth Room, and will be facilitated by Cathy Bosworth and Amy Cotter. For more information, please contact Cathy 612-708-1144, marcat8447@yahoo.com or Amy 612-710-1811,agate651@gmail.com.

Thank you, thank you! Many thanks to the people of Mount Olive for the generous Christmas gifts we received, and for all your kindness and support throughout the year! You are Christ to us in so many ways, and we are deeply grateful for you in our lives.

Thursday Evening Study Returns Jan. 7 Starting January 7, the Thursday evening study will begin meeting again in the Chapel Lounge from6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. “Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land” is the title, with the group exploring the book of Daniel.

Written in a time of national tribulation and set in another such time, the book explores how God’s faithful live faithful lives in a threatening world.

As always, there will be a light supper preceding the study each week.

Book Discussion Group Mount Olive’s Book Discussion Group meets on the second Saturday of each month, at 10:00a.m. in the West Assembly Area at church. All readers are welcome!

For the January 9 meeting, they will read Grand Opening, by Jon Hassler, and for February 13, they will read God's Hotel, by Victoria Sweet.

Desk Needed!

The German family that Mount Olive has helped to bring to Minneapolis for a short-term work/study period would like a small desk to use. If you have a desk that you could lend them until the end of July, please contact Lora Dundek with the dimensions (lhdundek@usfamily.net). We have a desk chair already. Thanks.

New Opportunity for Ministry

The Congregational Life Committee is looking for people who would be willing to assist members who have difficulty or are more cautious walking from the south parking lot to church.

For more information, contact Sandra Pranschke at spranschke@gmail.com, or 612-859-5448.

Winter Gear Drive Continues

Neighborhood Ministries is receiving donations of winter gear for children and adults. New or gently used items can be donated in the box near the coat room. There is designated space for coats inthe coat rack. Items will be given away at the Community Meal throughout the winter or brought to the Central Lutheran Free Store.

Thank you!

TRUST’s Annual Martin Luther King CelebrationSunday, January 17, 5:00 pm, Living Spirit United Methodist Church, 4501 Bloomington Avenue South Join us for fellowship and music. Featuring the voice of Libby Turner, Ann Jensen, and Leon Patterson reflecting on their journey to Selma for the 50th anniversary of the Selma toMontgomery March. TRUST Youth will provide music and lead the service.

A soup and sandwich supper will follow the service, and a freewill offering will be received.

Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning

ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton and William B. Horne, an ELCA member from Clearwater, Fla., will continue their conversation on racism – a violation of God’s intention forhumanity – in another live webcast Jan. 14, 2016, at 8 p.m. (CST). Eaton and Horne will be joined by other ELCA members who bring various perspectives on the U.S. criminal justice system. As with the previous webcast, this one will be grounded by two commitments. One is this church’sproclamation of Christ and the confidence this good news brings to set us free from the captivity of racism. The second is this church’s enduring commitment to address the complexity of racism and end discrimination.

Mount Olive will host this webinar broadcast in the Chapel Lounge starting at 8:00 pm on Thursday, Jan. 14, immediately following Thursday Bible Study. We will gather in the West Assembly Area beginning at 7:30 pm. We will watch together and have a discussion with other churches andneighbors.

Sunday’s Adult Forum: January 10“Islam and Christianity,” presented by John Matthews

John Matthews is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Apple Valley. John is a graduate of Concordia College (Moorhead, MN), Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN), and did post-graduate study at the International Center for Holocaust Education at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. For ten years, he has been an adjunct professor of religion at Augsburg College’s Rochester Campus and has been very active in interfaith dialogue, especially Jewish-Christian, Native American, and Christian-Muslim.

In November 2015, John was recognized by the Islamic Resource Group of Minnesota with their "Building Bridges" Award, for his interfaith activity. He is the author of Anxious Souls Will Ask: The Christ-Centered Spirituality of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Eerdmans, 2005) and Bonhoeffer: A Brief Overview of the Life and Writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Lutheran University Press, 2011).

John presented on Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Mount Olive's 2014-2015 forums.

Help Wanted for Our Saviour’s Meals

It's sign-up time for serving at Our Saviour's Shelter! Mount Olive serves on the second Sunday of every month.

If you have served before you know how rewarding it is to meet the residents and to have dinner with them. There is a 2016 calendar where you can put your name down for the month that is best for you. More hands are always welcome!

Altar Flowers

The sign up chart for weekly altar flowers has been posted in its usual spot next to the church office. If you would like to sign up to provide flowers for worship to commemorate a special day, in memory of a loved one, in honor of a special event, or simply to help beautify our church for worship, please sign up on the chart for the date you want, and be sure to include your designation.

The cost of the altar flowers this year is $50 per Sunday for two bouquets. If you wish to provide only one of the bouquets, simply sign on only one of the two lines provided for each Sunday. The cost for one bouquet is $25. Use the envelopes provided below the chart.

News from the NeighborhoodAnna Scott

Neighborhood Ministries Direct Care Report

One of the ministries we offer at Mount Olive is Direct Care in which, through generous funding from the congregation, we can assist our neighbors and friends with needs like a bus card, a laundry voucher, or help paying rent, utilities, or other emergencies.

This year we helped with:RENT: 49 people with a total of $ 3,716.53UTILITIES: 24 people with a total of $ 1,322.96EMERGENCY: 39 people with a total of $ 1,951.77GAVE: 83 Bus Cards and 86 Laundry Vouchers

Diaper Depot Report

Mount Olive hosts a Diaper Depot open to anyone who needs it as a way to lift a small piece of financial burden from parents. It is open Tues. 4:30-6:30 and Thurs. 1:30 – 3:30 downstairs by the Youth room. It’s a lovely place to see families, meet neighbors, and oogle at cute kiddos! The Depotoffers a bit of rest, a place to talk, extra supplies, and some savings to our friends.

“The Diaper Depot has lifted some financial burden from my family. I am very blessed to get discounted diapers.” – client

This year we:- Helped 350 families who came to the depot (187 of those clients were new – the word keeps spreading!)-Sold 1,908 packs of diapers

THANK YOU for your continued support of these ministries! As Hilda, one of our neighbors who received assistance said, “Keep it up. You really are helping out here.”

Mark Your CalendarsSunday, January 31, 2016, 4:00 p.m.“A Winter Tapestry” - From Age to Age Choral Ensemble Mount Olive Music & Fine Arts is pleased to welcome From Age to Age choral ensemble forthe first time on their concert series. From Age to Age brings a program that will warm yourheart as you listen to an eclectic mixture of repertoire representing all musical eras, and the standard of excellence that resounds the mission of our ensemble.

A reception follows the concert in the church’s Chapel Lounge. This event is free and open to the public; a free-will offering will be received to support the Music and Fine Arts program.

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Because Christ the Son has made the Father’s heart known to us, we can’t pretend we don’t know, or see, or don’t need to act with God’s heart in the world anymore.Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The Second Sunday of Christmas texts: John 1:10-18; Ephesians 1:3-14; Jeremiah 31:7-14
Sisters and brothers in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

When people do great evil in God’s name, we know that’s not what God wants. When the Church acts in ways of cruelty or rigidity, when Christians spout racism and hatred as if it is of Christ, we’re outraged, and we know, this is not God’s will.

But when it comes to our lives, we sometimes act as if what God wants, what God dreams for this world, what God hopes for from us is a mystery. How can we know God’s will? It’s complicated, hard to discern. Life is complicated, too. So, sometimes, we say, that’s just the way it always will be. This is convenient, because we don’t have to understand anything we don’t want to, or see in any way we aren’t used to seeing, or do anything we’re uncomfortable doing.

Today John exposes our lie. John proclaims the unknowable, unfathomable Triune God who made all things is now known to us. Of course it’s impossible for us to grasp the fullness of the God. But John says everything we need to know, everything that is in God’s heart for us and for this world is now evident to us, known.

“No one has ever seen God,” he says. “It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.”

So we have no more excuses. We can’t justify our ignorance, our narrow vision, or our inactivity on the grounds that we aren’t sure what God wants. Because the Son of God has become one of us and taken on our body and has shown us God’s heart. Told us everything. Lived for us everything we need to know. If we want to know the truth of God’s heart, we look to Jesus.

And now we know the heart of God, we can’t pretend otherwise.

The Son of God said peacemakers are blessed, and God’s heart is that we pray for our enemies, love them. We can no longer play with the idea of justified war or condone violent response of any kind and say it’s what God wants. When someone strikes us, we are to turn our cheek. Non-violent resistance isn’t passive and isn’t cowardly, it’s Christ’s way, and therefore God’s way. Now that we know this, we can’t pretend we don’t.

The Son of God said God’s full law is done when we love God with our everything and love our neighbor as ourselves. We can no longer pretend we don’t have to love certain people, or that we aren’t sure how God wants us to act towards some. We can’t say some aren’t our neighbors, because the One who knows God’s heart opened “neighbor” to mean all people, even those we disagree with, even those who aren’t like us. Now that we know love is the center of what God wants from us, we can’t pretend we don’t.

Knowing God’s heart for the world means we are called to see the world through God’s heart. We can’t pretend otherwise.

We can’t see things the way we’ve always seen them, and now knowing that they are destructive and broken, pretend that we don’t see that. Seeing through the heart of God means seeing the evils of systems that oppress while making others like us rich, not lying and saying, “it’s more complicated than that”. Seeing with God’s heart means seeing things that are going to make us uncomfortable.

The Son of God also said that if we look at those who are hungry, or thirsty, or sick, and those who are imprisoned, or naked, or strangers, we are seeing God. Seeing with God’s heart means seeing that those whom the world calls the least are where God is, and if we want to be with God, where we’ll be.

Now that we know the heart of God, we can’t pretend not to see the world with the same heart.

And knowing and seeing don’t matter if we won’t act with the heart of God. We can’t pretend otherwise.

If we won’t be peacemakers in our personal lives and in our public discourse and in how we encourage our leaders. If we won’t pray for those who hate us and are our enemies. If we won’t change systems that make life impossible for so many, even if that means loss for us. If we won’t care for Jesus’ least and lost, those who are God for us.

As long as we claim ignorance of God’s will for us and the world, we don’t have to see differently. As long as we don’t have to see as God sees, we can sit idly by while the world falls apart. But now that we know, now that we see, we can’t pretend we can do nothing.

But there is deep Good News in John’s claim, too: the Son of God has not only made God known to us. Through the Son we receive power to become children of God ourselves.

Hear that again: John says the Son makes the heart of God known to us, and gives us the power to become children of God.

Paul says this in Ephesians, too: we’ve been adopted into God’s life as children and heirs, born in the Spirit of God. So we’re close to the Father’s heart, too. Listen to Paul: “With all wisdom and insight, God has made known to us the mystery of God’s will, . . . a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him.” Because we are children and heirs, we know what was once mystery, we know God’s heart is to draw all things into the life of God.

Better yet, in the power of the Spirit we receive all the grace of being God’s children and heirs, we receive all God’s strength and courage, the ability and will we need to know, and see, and do what God’s heart wants for this world.

Jeremiah today reveals the fullness of God’s plan, when God’s heart’s desire comes to full fruit in this world.

The world will be a watered garden, young women will rejoice in the dance, young and old will be merry. God will turn the world’s mourning into joy, give gladness instead of sorrow, and all people will be satisfied with the bounty of the Lord.

That’s what will happen when God gathers all things together in Christ. That’s the heart of God for the people of this world.

Now we know. Now we can see. Now we can act. It’s no mystery anymore, thanks be to God. And as children of God, we now also get to be a part of unfolding the heart of God to the rest of world. What greater joy could there be?

Friday, January 1, 2016

In the names given to this Child – Jesus, Emmanuel – we find all we need for new life and refreshed spirits as we begin a new year in God’s care and love.Pr. Joseph G. Crippen The feast of the Name of Jesus texts: Luke 2:15-21; Psalm 8; Galatians 4:4-7

Sisters and brothers in Christ, grace to you, and peace in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

For much of the world, today is New Year’s Day. It’s likely the tradition of worshipping at Mount Olive on January 1st was originally a New Year’s celebration. Many German Lutheran congregations in America have long standing New Year’s worship traditions, either Eve or Day.

Today is also the feast of the Name of Jesus. Our liturgy is focused on that, not necessarily New Year’s. This is eight days after Jesus’ birth, the day of his circumcision and naming under Jewish law, as Luke said. For centuries Lutherans and Anglicans called today the feast of the Circumcision and the Name of Jesus. For some reason, in the late 1970s in both traditions the title was shortened (no pun intended) to simply “the Name of Jesus.”

It’s no coincidence there’s a Church feast on the first of January, either. From at least the 7th century today has been a Church holiday. Probably because from the second century BC onward the Romans had a major pagan New Year’s festival on this day, and the Church is always fond of transforming such things rather than banning them. We did it for Christmas, after all.

So are you here because it’s New Year’s Day and you want to begin the new year at worship, asking God’s blessing on the year to come? Or are you deeply inspired and moved by the story of Jesus’ circumcision and naming and must be at worship to celebrate that? Or do you desperately need another festival of Christ even though it’s only been eight days since Christmas?

Maybe we can eat our cake and have it, too. We can take the sanitized title for this day and consider why we might want to celebrate the name given this child, and in so doing might also find grace to carry with us into a new year on this planet.

But we have to deal with one other little confusion. This child was actually given two names.

The feast is called “the name of Jesus,” and Jesus is the name we know best.

Both Mary and Joseph are told to call him this, and Joseph is given the explanation: because he will “save his people from their sins.” The name means, “God saves.”

It’s a good name, but we might have missed the depth of what it means. We talk about Jesus “saving us from our sins” often simply as a transaction, a forgiveness. We won’t be punished for what we’ve done wrong before God. This is good, and it’s our gift.

But this child called “God saves,” the one who will save us from our sins, had a deeper hope for that role. In his teaching and death and resurrection he tried to do more than forgive us. He tried to truly save us from our sins, that is, get us out of the path that was leading us away from God.

The word “save” in Greek also means “heal,” and it is this that gives us life as we begin a new year.

Yes we begin with this grace: all we have done in the past year, anything ill-done, anything sinful, we can lay before God and seek forgiveness. On this New Year’s Day, that’s abiding good news, that any regrets and confession we have, we leave the Lord’s Table clean and ready for a new year of life.

But it is that new year of life that our Lord named Jesus is truly interested in. He would save us from our sins to come as well. By entering our hearts and lives, leading us down his path of self-giving love, healing us our sinful nature, our broken habits. Jesus, “God saves,” wants to walk with us in this new year and truly bring us life, free us, heal us. That has a lot more potential to transform us in the next twelve months than any list of resolutions we might make.

It’s only in Matthew’s comment to the birth story that we find it. The angel tells Joseph to call the child Jesus, and Matthew says all this fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy of a child born who is called “Emmanuel.” Which, Matthew kindly translates, means “God is with us.”

Even if no one called Jesus that in his lifetime, at the end of Matthew’s Gospel Jesus promises that it is a true name: “I will be with you always, to the end of the age,” he says. This child brings God to live with us, in person, in the flesh, and in his resurrection and ascension, he is now able to do that.

This name is as important to us as the other.

God is with us.

There is nothing more we need or want to know as we begin a new year than God is with us. In our world of fear and hatred, where seemingly unsolvable problems arise every day, where we grow old and die, where our loved ones suffer and we can’t help, where there’s uncertainty everywhere, the only thing that gives us hope and life is knowing God is with us, knowing we walk our days and sleep our nights in the certain embrace of God’s arms.

We can’t expect this new year won’t involve pain for us or for the world or for those we love. But we know we will never be alone, whatever happens next. Because our God is with us in this child who became a man, who was God embodied in our own flesh.

This might be the point when we echo our psalmist: “what are we, that you should care for us this much, honor us this much?”

And Paul gives us our answer: we are adopted children of God, heirs to this child who is Jesus – God saves – and Emmanuel – God is with us – and who is our Savior. We have the Spirit of God given us as children of our heavenly Father, and we can turn to God in prayer always, because of this child who has brought us into the life of the Triune God forever.

So celebrate the Name – both of them – that this child and Lord bears. In them we have all the life and grace we need. And celebrate the beginning of a new year, hoping for peaceful and quiet times, resolving to live better lives, more faithful lives. In Jesus, our Emmanuel, we will have all the strength and healing grace we need to live such new lives, and be better than we were last year.

It might be a little confusing to articulate exactly why we’re here today. But it’s good that we are. Because so is our God, who saves us, who is with us. And as always, our lives won’t ever be the same.In the name of Jesus. Amen